Bar & Bat Mitzvah Tours – Israel Summer 2019-2020

$100

per person

Our Bar / Bat Mitzvah Tours to Israel gives your family the unforgettable backdrop of Israel, for a trip of a lifetime! Discover your Jewish roots in Israel with cultural attractions that range from ancient to modern encompassing a meaningful Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremony and celebration for the entire family!

12 or 15 Day Tours of Israel

Monday – Overnight flight to Israel

Get ready to enjoy the best family experience you will ever have!
Let us begin your journey...

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Tuesday – When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)

After landing, an ITC representative will be waiting to welcome you as you exit passport control, continue to luggage identification and transfer to your chauffeured vehicle for transfer to Jerusalem.

Check-in to the five star deluxe David Citadel Hotel - Time to relax or explore before dinner.

"Meet and Greet” session at hotel with your guide and fellow travelers.

Enjoy a festive Welcome dinner; time to get acquainted with families on the tour.

Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

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Wednesday – The Old City of Jerusalem: An Ancient Jewish Legacy

Survey the Old City of Jerusalem and Temple Mount from Scopus.

Hear the archaeological story of the Western Wall with its 2,000-year-old Jewish background at Robinsons Arch “Kotel” and the Southern Wall excavations.

Touch the stones of the Western Wall's traditional prayer area and insert your private note into a crack between the stones.

The Western Wall tunnels contain remnants of entire rooms from the Second Temple period. At Warren’s Gate, you will stand just a few feet away from where the Holy Ark stood; feel the yearning of the Jewish people for the Temple for thousands of years.

Experience the historic Jewish Quarter, including the Broad Wall, Rooftops and the Cardo, which was the main street of Jerusalem some 1500 years ago. Take some time to explore the area and the amazing shops, many that have been in families for multiple generations.

Enjoy dinner at the ever popular Olive and Fish Restaurant, always a favorite with ITC travelers!

Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

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Thursday – Bar and Bat Mitzvah Ceremony on Masada!

Morning departure as we set out across the Judean Desert. Travel to the top of Masada by cable car to see the ruins of Herod's Palace. Masada is a place of haggard and majestic beauty that has become one of the Jewish people's greatest symbols as the place where the last Jewish stronghold against Roman invasion stood. Tour the Palace, store rooms, bathhouse & water reservoirs

Our Rabbi begins the morning service in the Synagogue of Masada, where each Bar and Bat Mitzvah child will be called up to the Torah to recite their Torah Portion,an experience which will be remembered for years to come!

Drive to the lowest place on earth 1200 feet below sea level time to float on the amazing Dead Sea. We will stop at a local resort that has a fresh water pool and spa f Massage and spa treatments are available by prior reservation at own expense.

Group Lunch at the Dead Sea resort.

A convoy of Camels will be waiting to “pick you up” in the Judean Desert and will transport you back through time as you take part in a delicious celebratory dinner with biblical hospitality in Abraham’s Desert Tent

Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

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Friday – Holocaust, Remembrance and Continuity

This morning we tour Yad Vashem - Israel's national Holocaust memorial and museum, including the Holocaust History Museum and Children’s Memorial. (Children under age 10 advised not to tour Yad Vashem's historical museum).

Alternate program for younger children: Visit Jerusalem's Biblical Zoo, where you will see animals which lived in Israel during biblical times. (An adult must accompany Children.)

Honor Israel's fallen at Herzl Military cemetery

Time permitting-See the Knesset and Supreme Court buildings at Jerusalem's Government Quarter.

Go where the action is at the bustling Machane Yehuda Market with more than 250 vendors, this bustling outdoor marketplace is considered the heartbeat of central Jerusalem.Listen to the "music of the market" as the vendors and Jerusalemites prepare for the Sabbath.

Free time to relax and prepare to welcome Shabbat in Jerusalem.

Sanctify Shabbat, by lighting candles at the hotel before leaving for the Western Wall. Greet the Sabbath with thousands of other Jews from around the world.

Experience Shabbatof a lifetime at the home of a Jerusalem family, enjoy the wonderful stories, songs and dinner.

Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

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Saturday/Shabbat - And on the Seventh Day…in Jerusalem

Morning at leisure to relax or attend optional Shabbat services, explore on your own or visit with family and friends.

Explore the Old City’s ancient quarters with your guide. Visit the historical sites, including synagogues, churches, markets and squares. Learn about the 3000-year-old history of the city of Jerusalem, from King David’s conquest until the present day.

Discover the first neighborhood built outside the walls of the Old City and hear the story of the historic Montefiore Windmill.

Share Havdalah (symbolic end of Shabbat) as a group.

In the evening, you will head back to the Tower of David to view the impressive "Night SpectacularSound and Light Show”, depicting the Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Turks and others, as they tried to conquer Jerusalem.

Spend some time mingling with Jerusalemites at the nightspots after Shabbat lets out.

Overnight: David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem

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Sunday –Archaeological Dig, Roman Ruins and Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee

Digging Israel's past at a true "handson" archaeological excavation at Beit Guvrin National Park where the battle between David and Goliath took place. Optional: “cave crawl” and dig for the adventurous to explore Beit Guvrin underground.

Travel up the fabulous Mediterranean coast to the ruins of Tour the amazing Roman Theater, Amphitheater, Hippodrome and Promontory Palace

Travel across northern Israel to the Sea of Galilee

Enjoy a fabulous dinner andboat ride at the famous Decks Restaurant on the Sea of Galilee

Walk through mystical Tzfat's (Home of Kabbalah) fascinating and charming alleyways with its ancient synagogues, and artist galleries.

Raft or Kayak down the Jordan River – Great way to cool off on a hot day.

While on a Jeep tour of the Golan Heights "Look down at Israel" from the old Syrian bunkers- the way the Syrian army once did!

From the peak of Bental, gain a special perspective on Israel's complex geopolitics as we look out at all three countries. Israel – Syria - Lebanon

Fun, Fun, Fun - Participate in a delicious chocolate making tasting workshop at the De Karina Chocolates on nearby Kibbutz Ein Zivan.

Special BBQ dinner onIDF base (TBA) where you will meet with some of the young Israeli soldiers that make up the IDF.

Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi, Galilee

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Tuesday – Multicultural Israel

Learn about kibbutz life on walking tour of Kibbutz Lavi led by a local

Take part in the mitzvah of planting a tree in Israel in honor or in memory of a loved one.

Experience Druze hospitality, a culinary delight, in the village of Usafiya on Carmel and learn about this unique Israeli community from a local Druze resident.

Travel the beautiful coast down to Tel Aviv.

Explore the popular Nachalat BinyaminCrafts Fair, then check out the nearby Carmel Market and bohemian Sheinkin Street– All three of these Tel Aviv icons meet at the "Magen David Junction".

Free time to swim in the Mediterranean Sea at our beachfront hotel.

Free evening in Tel Aviv! Visit the Tel Aviv seaport or maybe the new Sarona Market, the heartbeat of Israeli culinary art. It is no surprise why Tel Aviv is known as the party capital of the Middle East. Your guide is ready to offer his or her personal favorites!

Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv

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Wednesday – Foundations of the Modern State

Tzedakah:Pick un-harvested vegetables with Leket, for the National Food Bank which is a Israeli charity that distributes surplus food to needy people

Learn the secret of the clandestine Underground Bullet Factory “Ayalon Institute”, which tells one of the fascinating and mysterious stories in the history of the struggle for the establishment of the State of Israel.

At Independence Hall: imagine reliving that Friday afternoon, May 14, 1948 at 4:00 PM. The British government, which has controlled Palestine since 1923, is pulling out its forces and returning to Britain. At that exact moment in history, in this very spot, David Ben-Gurion, makes an historic declaration: "We hereby declare the establishment of the Jewish State in the Land of Israel...."

Tour where Jonah set sail for meeting the whale in charming Old Jaffa, the ancient port city once known as the Gate of Zion with its shops & galleries.

Free time to swim in MediterraneanSea and enjoy the beach side Promenade.

Late morning checkout from the hotel. Deposit your luggage with the lobby security who will keep it until you return to the hotel for your transfer to the Airport, for your late night flight or after midnight flight back to the USA. (Late checkout available for additional cost).

Arrive in USA – Enjoy the memories that will stay with you forever!

Begin planning your next Israel trip with ITC Tours!

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OPTIONAL EILAT EXTENSION - Thursday – Eilat Adventure

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Tel Aviv and transfer to Tel Aviv Airport for your domestic flight to Eilat.

After landing at Eilat Airport, you will be met by your ITC representative and transferred to your Hotel.

Hotel check-in

Free time for a swim at your hotel’s beautiful beach and pool

Overnight: Royal Beach Hotel Eilat

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Friday – Red Sea Delight

After breakfast - Board a touringyacht for a leisurely cruise and lunch on the Red Sea. Snorkeling equipment is available for a closer look at the exquisite coral reefs and tropical fish.

Shabbat Dinner at the hotel

Overnight: Royal Beach Hotel Eilat

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Saturday – Delightful Eilat OR the Wonders of Petra

Day at leisure-enjoying recreational activities in Eilat, including beautiful beaches, the hotel's pool and spa facilities, water-skiing, paddle boats, wind-surfing, banana boats, snorkeling, swimming with the dolphins, or scuba- and “snuba”-diving (extra charges apply for some of these activities)

OR

Optional: Excursion to the ruins of the Nabatean City of Petra (full day tour, extra charge). You need to apply in advance for this extension in order to book your trip to Petra. We will secure your Jordanian visas.

Overnight: Royal Beach Hotel Eilat

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Sunday – Sun and Fun

Morning at leisure in Eilat

Optional: Enjoy a special visit to Eilat’s Underwater Observatory, one of the largest sea aquariums in the world, built into a gorgeous coral reef .Early afternoon hotel check out

Afternoon flight to Ben Gurion Airport for your international flight to the USA